Hodgson Russ Announces Kennedy as New President & CEO

Hodgson Russ LLP, one of the country’s preeminent law firms providing business-focused legal counsel to market-leading and emerging enterprises, governmental entities, nonprofit institutions, and individuals across the United States, Canada, and the world, has named Rick W. Kennedy president & CEO, effective February 1, 2016. Headquartered in Buffalo, the firm will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2017, and in addition to being Buffalo’s largest law firm, it is also the city’s oldest ongoing business.

Kennedy joined Hodgson Russ as an associate attorney in 1983 and became a partner in 1990, concentrating in complex environmental matters and the law governing lawyers. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America multiple times, currently under Environmental Law. In addition to serving Hodgson Russ clients in a wide range of industries, Kennedy has served as the firm’s co-general counsel and loss prevention partner, and as a member of its board of directors for more than a decade.

“I am honored to be entrusted with this responsibility,” said Kennedy, “and I look forward to serving the firm as it renews its nearly two-century commitment to serving our clients and our communities with the highest levels of skill, professionalism and loyalty.”

Kennedy helped found EduNations, Inc., a non-profit organization building and operating schools and providing other humanitarian aid to Sierra Leone, Africa. He is a director and vice president of that organization and is a member of the board of the Chapel at Crosspoint. He is a former board member of Jericho Road Community Health Center and Crag Burn Golf Club.

“I am delighted to have Rick Kennedy as our new president & CEO. Rick is another example of the extraordinary depth of leadership talent we enjoy at Hodgson Russ. This enables us to seamlessly transition governance while keeping our focus on what is most important, our clients,” said Daniel C. Oliverio, chairman.

John P. Amershadian, the firm’s outgoing president & CEO, said “In my opinion, there is not a finer individual who could now be given this significant responsibility for the future of this firm than Rick Kennedy, a man for whom I have enormous respect as an attorney and as a human being,”

“The firm is deeply indebted to John Amershadian for his strong and steadfast leadership during a period of significant and rapid changes in the legal profession,” added Kennedy.  “I am personally grateful for the sterling example he set and for the gracious way he has handled this transition.”

###

Hodgson Russ attorneys facilitate the U.S. legal aspects of transactions around the world. We practice in every major area of law and use multidisciplinary work teams to serve the specific, often complex, needs of our clients, which include public and privately held businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit institutions, and individuals. Hodgson Russ has offices in Buffalo, New York City, Albany, and Saratoga Springs, New York; Toronto, Ontario; and Palm Beach, Florida.